Jung Hee Kim-bridge of Love Ring, Brooch &amp; Pendant

At Design Interviews

Interview with Jung Hee Kim : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Jung Hee Kim : A love story of two star-crossed lovers inspired this project. To the ancient Koreans, the Milky Way was known as a river to separate a beloved couple. Once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh month, the couple was able to reunite if a flock of magpies and crows would create a bridge over the river. I made ‘Bridge of Love’ in the hope that we can cherish our relationship. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Jung Hee Kim : ‘Bridge of Love&#039; was created in the hope of breaking the stereotype that artistic jewelry is non-wearable or uncomfortable. Instead I intended to create a jewelry with values of scarcity and practicality as well as artistry. On top of that, I also hope people who wear this jewelry truly appreciate the story in it so that it would not be affected by the change of trend in the passage of time. Like constantly repeated life of human being, I hope my ring &amp; brooch can be loved beyond ages and I hope my jewelry can transcend time and space forever.I tried to look for a potential and prospects of modern jewelry. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Jung Hee Kim : I am continuously working and will work to develop it as a series of collection. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Jung Hee Kim : From september 2015 to present Private atelier in Seoul. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Jung Hee Kim : ‘Tree of Life’ is to pursuit my inspiration. Since 2003, I have designed with the concept of tree and concentrated on bringing life to my artworks. The texture of tree represents my inspiration.I tried to reinterpret jewelry as a part of metal craft with function and practical value added.
.Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Jung Hee Kim : I have the exclusive rights to produce and sell “Bridge of Love” .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Jung Hee Kim : ‘Bridge of Love’ is a set of ring and brooch. Brooch has an additional ring so that it can be worn as a pendant as well. This enables a wearer to meet various T.P.O. Modern representation of an ancient theme, the Milky Way, in reflective and abstract manner will attract people of all ages. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Jung Hee Kim : I don’t think so. Since college, I have been interested in the nature. I strongly believe that all designs come from the nature and thus designers are inspired by the nature. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Jung Hee Kim : Females in 30’s who look for uniqueness. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Jung Hee Kim : ‘Bridge of Love&#039;is a harmonious combination of different color pearls and adopted prong setting to mount mellee gemstones and only used curved waves. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Jung Hee Kim : To the ancient Koreans, the Milky Way was known as a river to separate a beloved couple. Once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh month, the couple was able to reunite if a flock of magpies and crows would create a bridge over the river. I named ‘Bridge of Love’ in the hope that we can cherish our relationship.
.Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Jung Hee Kim : ‘Bridge of Love‘is a hand crafted jeweled ring. I adopted wax carving method to formulate free curved lines. I used soft wax instead of general hard wax. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Jung Hee Kim : The Milky Way, a pale strip of light consisting of many stars, stretches across the sky at night like a river. The profile view of this celestial river looks flat like a flying disk. ‘Bridge of Love’ shows both visible representation of the Milky Way and link between two lovers. Also, modern representation of an ancient theme, the Milky Way, in reflective and abstract manner will attract people of all ages. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Jung Hee Kim : This ring &amp;brooch set adopted soft-wax casting method. I hand-crafted soft wax to make a model of this ring. Casting and setting gems were done by skilled experts. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Jung Hee Kim : A wax carving method is optimal to express my free curves. Especially, soft wax that I used enabled me to craft curved lines easily. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Jung Hee Kim : Through this project, I would like to examine how jewelry can gratify the psychological needs of people who acknowledge the artistic value of jewelry that are unique and rare in design. I would like to argue that jewelry is a part of culture and arts with its diverse functions and presentation methods beyond its typical representation as ornaments. I hope, as a jewelry designer, this research can discuss the current market trend that jewelry is no longer mere expensive consumer goods. Rather I hope jewelry can be poised as a complete Metal Craft Art with the full support of the identity and convergence of design. .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Jung Hee Kim : I use soft-wax which is very delicate to handle and handcraft a model from melted wax. I do not carve hard-wax.
Finding the proper working temperature was challenging as well. At the low temperature, wax gets chipped off or broken. On the other hand at the high temperature, wax gets melted. I paid attention in particular to maintain optimal room and spatula temperature.
.Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Jung Hee Kim : I believe that design is a universal visual language. My designs have already earned recognition in Korea and I have loyal customers. I wanted to test if my designs can be recognized in the international arena as well by taking part in A’ Design Award &amp; Competition. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Jung Hee Kim : I have designed jewelry whose motif is nature. In the past, I focused on visual representations but now I more focus on abstract expressions and the story behind them. .Frank Scott: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?. Jung Hee Kim : ‘Bridge of Love‘is inspired by the nature. I hope the wearers can also understand the concept and message underlying this design not just the design itself. .